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    Heat pumps for my home

    Are heat pumps right for the future of my home?

    Looking at alternative energies.

    What are heat pumps?

    They are a thermodynamic solution that take the warmth from the air or ground outside and compresses it and turns it into heat. To explain, it’s just like an air conditioner. It works in a similar way to a fridge, but in reverse.

    You may have seen small metal units outside homes. These are typically air source heat pumps (extracting heat and compressing it to make heat indoors. Alternatively, some home may have fitted a ground source heat pump which extract heat from a network of pipes underground.

    What are the benefits of heat pumps?

    They are good and work well in all weather conditions, however, you may have heard some negative headlines. The main reasons for this is sometimes the heat loss of a property has not been calculated properly,leading to incorrect sizing. Also, it is really important to use a reputable, certified installer. Although not everyone will find installation of a heat pump affordable, in September 2023 the government announced a rise in the Boiler Upgrade Grant to £7,500 towards the cost of a heat pump to help households who want to replace their existing boilers. Learn more here.

    Learn more here

    Are heat pumps right for the future of my home?

    Your home

    You need to make sure that your home is properly
    insulated. This will help the heat pump to be more efficient. It’s also important to review if you existing central heating system is sufficient, as heat pumps run at a lower flow temperature than boilers.

    So you may require larger surface area radiators, underfloor
    heating or updated pipework to heat your home as you like it.

    Specification

    With gas boilers, it’s common practice to install
    a boiler larger than required to ensure you meet the household requirements. However, if your installer ‘over-specs’ a heat pump, it may cost you more money and use more electricity than expected.

    You need to choose the right type of heat pump for your climate. Air source heat pumps are not as efficient in
    cold climates as they are in warm climates. Ground source heat pumps are more efficient than air source in cold climates, but they are also more expensive to install.

    Our advice

    Heat pumps have a life span similar to that of a gas boiler and can be a great option for homeowners looking for a more environmentally friendly and efficient way to heat and cool their homes.

    There are currently grants available and the government predict that the cost of heat pumps will start to come down over the next decade as technology starts to mature, but currently they can be more expensive to install than traditional heating systems and may not be suitable for all homes.

    So get a qualified Heat pump expert to do a full energy assessment of your home and specify the correct heat pump for your home.

    Is my off-grid home suitable for a heat pump?

    Heating our homes makes up 14% of the UK’s carbon emissions, so as we all move towards a lower carbon future, it’s no surprise that we’re being urged to reduce our reliance on fossil-fuelled boilers. This is particularly true for homes off the mains gas grid, as they are typically older, less energy efficient and use more heat.

    So make sure it is the right choice for your home.

    Read our blog article